How to Heat and Apply Solder

There are plenty of uses for soldering, but the most common uses are plumbing and electronics. Delicate soldering work is done on circuit boards and it's important to have a firm grasp on the process when undergoing such concentration-intensive activities.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soldering iron
• Solder
• Moist sponge
• Wicking material

1. Set up your soldering space, making sure that it's clean of all but your tools, and heat resistant. A magnifying glass is good for fine work, and a place that holds the sponge so that it doesn't go flying every time you use it is important.

2. Secure whatever you plan to solder. This is more important with smaller items, as gravity and physics keep large items from moving at unwanted moments...unless they're on wheels.

3. Heat up your soldering iron. Make sure not to place it on the surface that you're working on. Instead, place it in a cooling coil or set it with the tip in the air.

4. Wait until the iron is thoroughly heated. The manual should tell you how long your particular model needs to get to its proper heat.

5. Pick up the iron carefully, making sure not to burn yourself. Place the tip of the iron on the surface that you wish to solder. Apply the solder to the surface near the iron. When you've applied the correct amount of solder to the surface, retract the solder.

6. Tin the iron by wiping it quickly on the sponge. If you need to make any corrections, apply the wicking material to the solder you want to remove. Touch the iron to the junction of wick and solder. Reapply solder as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't burn yourself. The lowest setting on an iron is about 250 degrees Fahrenheit, which means that you can seriously hurt yourself or someone else if you're careless.